Parliamentary Lock Jam

From the day one in both the houses the opposition parties are disrupting the proceedings.  In upper house the oppositions are demanding apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his outside of parliament statement allegedly describing opposition parties as supporter of black money.  The treasury benches refuted the opposition allegations and further vouched that the PM is ready for intervention during debate.  The other demand of opposition is PM should remain present throughout the debate over demonetization.  ‘The oppositions are trapped in the web of their own cleverness’ said M. A. Naqvi, Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs.  Amid exchange of words between opposition members Jairam Ramesh and P. Chidambaram with deputy chairman P. J. Kurian, the deputy chairman demonstrated inability to run the badger house as remarks were too abrasive.   He expunged the remarks of both the members from the proceedings.  On outset, in lower house the stance of opposition was the debate should be continued under rule 56 where consent of government is mandatory.  Under rule 56 the opposition can censure the government after voting.  The ruling party was pragmatic on rule 193 which has no provision of voting but disputation.  At last, the opposition showed willingness to debate under rule 184, where government consent is not required but voting is compulsory.  Some of the opposition parties have shown willingness to debate under rule 193 culminated to interstitials in opposition unity.  To break the existing lock jam, astute parliamentarians under the leadership of Mr Rahul Gandhi met the President for his intervention.  ‘The voice of the people is being suppressed across the country’ Rahul said after submission of their demands to the President.

Mr Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister said that the journalists are focusing on negative aspect of demonetization.  So far political class and journalists have not accepted the policy, even though, people at large are happy.  The speed with which the hidden currency notes are coming out is commendable.  Remonetisation process will boost up the GDP and strengthen the economy, he reiterated.  The finance ministry annunciated that old Rs 500 note will not be espoused at petrol pumps and airport counters from midnight of December 2.  But, continue to accept for payment of water, electricity bills, LPG cylinder, school and college fees and purchase of railway tickets till December 15.  The new currency note has given respite to finance ministry.  Public has demonstrated happiness over partial payment of their hard earned salary, but, shown anger for inconvenience due to long queues.  Government is stressing on digital transaction that has made significant improvement in every walk of the economy.  Almost half of the ATMs have been recalibrated but seldom are with cash.  PSU banks in collaboration with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is developing mobile app for e-wallet.  The app will be ready by mid December.  Through electronic wallet the public will carry out their financial transactions.  The demand for PoS machines has augmented manifold.  Next week is a crucial week for treasury benches.  Floor managers will find out solution over lock jam.